Wyoming’s Wilderness Area Nonresident Restrictions

[jmez]

It's never going to change.

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[cmahoney]

The only way I ever see it changing is on the Federal level, and I do believe it should change.

Something to the effect of “states cannot prohibit US citizens from hunting federally owned or managed land, provided they are properly licensed by the state therein. No state shall mandate the use of a outfitter or guide service for hunting or fishing on federally owned lands.”

Remember, we are all Americans, and we’re all nonresidents in 49 other states.

Furthermore I’d like to see legislation limiting nonresident tag costs to 10x that of a resident tag. I think paying 10 that of a resident to hunt in that state, where I’m bringing in tons of money elsewhere in food, hotels, gas, etc is wholly reasonable.

My state charges a measly $124 to nonresidents to hunt deer, and is one of the top whitetail states in the county. As bad as some of you guys bitch about western states mismanaging game, they look like geniuses compared to the ODNR.

Seems like both of these are issues the BHA should get behind and lobby Congress about... But instead I’ll probably hear about Land Tawney endorsing the next Democratic candidate for president.

Sorry, the BHA has predictors to protect


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[Phaseolus]

I agree completely. No more applying for Wyoming nonresident tags until they change this ridiculous rule. How can we help spread the word?

I wish Colorado would follow suit. MCGA!

 

[7mmDakotaHunter]

I for one think that it’s high time that the Wyoming Game and Fish Department re-evaluate their rule on not allowing nonresidents to hunt designated wilderness areas without being accompanied by a guide.

They have stated many reasons why they have initiated this rule but I feel that it is truly a racket brought about by both the outfitters to drum up business and residents to keep nonresidents out of the state prime hunting areas.

Let’s look at how Wyoming’s game and fish has led the way, more so than any other western state in my opinion, of creatively drumming up ways to extract more and more money from nonresidents for the opportunity to hunt their state. The special draw, the preference point system and exorbitant tag prices. If you don’t believe me crunch the numbers. Wyoming leads all the other states in the greatest discrepancy in cost between resident and nonresident tag costs.

I am sure that this post will get both the Wyoming outfitting industry and the Wyoming resident hunters in an uproar but it is time for a change and if nothing is said then they will have no reason to change this ridiculous law and level the hunting opportunities in Wyoming between the resident and nonresident hunters. The Wyoming elk application period is right around the corner. I currently have 5 preference points for elk but I am done applying until this unfair greed driven law is done away with. Everyone should take my lead and drop Wyoming and support states like Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Idaho which offer greater opportunities at a better price for it nonresident hunters.


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Probably gonna be the devils advocate here. For the record I do not live in WY......

I think WY has the right to regulate their wildlife tags however they see fit. In an era where “backpack” hunting is becoming ever more popular I feel this wilderness regulation weeds out a lot of people. If you don’t like it dont apply....pretty simple. As other guys have stated I am sure there are plenty of guys to fill your spot. Is it ideal? Probably not.....but the state resources of WY are who is going to have to come get your ass when shit goes south. Yes the law probably helps out the outfitters, but wouldn’t you expect your state to look out for its residents first?...........I certainly would and do........my .02

 

[MattB]

The state already does enough for their residents. Look at the resident tag prices need I say more and if they want to give the outfitters an advantage do like NM and allocate a portion of the tags to hunters who sign with them before the draw. It is not fair to block me from public land that my federal tax dollars help to maintain.



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Yes, because people like th o one is blocking you from federal land. You just can't hunt Wyoming's animals on some of it without an outfitter.

The only way I ever see it changing is on the Federal level, and I do believe it should change.

Something to the effect of “states cannot prohibit US citizens from hunting federally owned or managed land, provided they are properly licensed by the state therein. No state shall mandate the use of a outfitter or guide service for hunting or fishing on federally owned lands.”

Remember, we are all Americans, and we’re all nonresidents in 49 other states.

Furthermore I’d like to see legislation limiting nonresident tag costs to 10x that of a resident tag. I think paying 10 that of a resident to hunt in that state, where I’m bringing in tons of money elsewhere in food, hotels, gas, etc is wholly reasonable.

My state charges a measly $124 to nonresidents to hunt deer, and is one of the top whitetail states in the county. As bad as some of you guys bitch about western states mismanaging game, they look like geniuses compared to the ODNR.

Seems like both of these are issues the BHA should get behind and lobby Congress about... But instead I’ll probably hear about Land Tawney endorsing the next Democratic candidate for president.

Remember, no one is stopping anyone from accessing federal land, only from hunting Wyoming game on said federal land. There seems to be a bit of obfuscation in your quote above.

 

[Okhotnik]

The only way I ever see it changing is on the Federal level, and I do believe it should change.

Something to the effect of “states cannot prohibit US citizens from hunting federally owned or managed land, provided they are properly licensed by the state therein. No state shall mandate the use of a outfitter or guide service for hunting or fishing on federally owned lands.”

Remember, we are all Americans, and we’re all nonresidents in 49 other states.

Furthermore I’d like to see legislation limiting nonresident tag costs to 10x that of a resident tag. I think paying 10 that of a resident to hunt in that state, where I’m bringing in tons of money elsewhere in food, hotels, gas, etc is wholly reasonable.

My state charges a measly $124 to nonresidents to hunt deer, and is one of the top whitetail states in the county. As bad as some of you guys bitch about western states mismanaging game, they look like geniuses compared to the ODNR.

Seems like both of these are issues the BHA should get behind and lobby Congress about... But instead I’ll probably hear about Land Tawney endorsing the next Democratic candidate for president.

BHA has never been interested in protecting hunting despite what the bros in their flat brimmed hats and micro ipa s state

 

[shootbrownelk]

Legality aside you have to be a special kind of douche to agree with a state not allowing United states citizens from hunting on federally own wilderness area or any publicly owned land for that matter.

The animals on that Federal Land (BLM, NF) are owned and managed by the state of Wyoming. You can fish or hike on any Federal Land & Wilderness areas you have a mind to, you just can't hunt. Don't complain or stay home and hunt.

 

[Rifleman86]

Yes, because people like th o one is blocking you from federal land. You just can't hunt Wyoming's animals on some of it without an outfitter.

Remember, no one is stopping anyone from accessing federal land, only from hunting Wyoming game on said federal land. There seems to be a bit of obfuscation in your quote above.

Nah, that’s BS. I can’t hunt Federally owned and managed wilderness without paying an outfitter an exorbitant amount of money. It’s wholly right for states to limit NR hunting and or make it advantageous to be a resident of that state. But artificially requiring the use of a guide just because you stepped over an imaginary line is BS, and the justification for the law is BS.

Just because Joe Blow has lived in Wyoming in a year doesn’t mean he’s more prepared for a Wilderness hunt than the nonresident who might have been hunting the backcountry for 20 years.

I can go try and and climb Gannet Peak without an outfitter, but I need a guide to backpack into a wilderness area to hunt elk in Sept?

The law is horseshit. Let free market needs dictate the outfitting industry, not artificial government influence.

 

[KurtR]

Get the pitch forks boys every ones boycotting Wyoming....... I will be right behind you

 

[Trial153]

The animals on that Federal Land (BLM, NF) are owned and managed by the state of Wyoming. You can fish or hike on any Federal Land & Wilderness areas you have a mind to, you just can't hunt. Don't complain or stay home and hunt.

I'm gonna tell you this is tactfully as possible before I tell you to go crap in your hat.

You, me, Joe citizen from any other 49 states applies, pays for and is issued a valid hunting licence for a state and is then forced to hire an outfitter to hunt on FEDERALLY owned land is a legalized form of extortion.

 

[Rifleman86]

Get the pitch forks boys every ones boycotting Wyoming....... I will be right behind you

Wyoming is on my list as the next State I hunt. A boycott from hunting the state will never work, they just have too much to offer.

That said boycotting the outfitting industry there might help influence things. If it starts hitting the outfitters in the pocket book rather than helping them things might change. I’ve got nothing against outfitters, and may use one in the future for difficult pack outs, etc. But screw legalized extortion.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I'm gonna tell you this is tactfully as possible before I tell you to go crap in your hat.

You, me, Joe citizen from any other 49 states applies, pays for and is issued a valid hunting licence for a state and is then forced to hire an outfitter to hunt on FEDERALLY owned land is a legalized form of extortion.

Like I said, hire a lawyer. It's been tried many times, and failed. Or you can stay home in NY state and hunt.

 

[Trial153]

Like I said, hire a lawyer. It's been tried many times, and failed. Or you can stay home in NY state and hunt.

Legality aside you have to be a special kind of douche to agree with a state not allowing United states citizens from hunting on federally own wilderness area or any publicly owned land for that matter.

Thank you for adding validity to my point.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Goooooood.....let..the butthurt..flow

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[maxp]

Wyoming is on my list as the next State I hunt. A boycott from hunting the state will never work, they just have too much to offer.

That said boycotting the outfitting industry there might help influence things. If it starts hitting the outfitters in the pocket book rather than helping them things might change. I’ve got nothing against outfitters, and may use one in the future for difficult pack outs, etc. But screw legalized extortion.

In reading through I keep running into one thing...let me clarify I am from alberta where our non res laws are worse....You dont have to pay exorbitant fees to hunt!!! Any WY resident can take a non-resident hunter out correct? Seems like a win-win to have some one in state to help with scouting and pack out...or curse the residents that pay for the roads and drive on them to non wilderness land to hunt...my opinion

 

[wytx]

Yep, there is no fee to hunt wilderness or the requirement to "hire" an outfitter or guide. You can do it for free if you have a resident guide and their license is free as well.
I'm baffled by why many think you need to hunt wilderness areas, in 31 years I have never hunted in one and done just fine. The areas around here have just as much pressure as the rest of the NF.

 

[robtattoo]

Nah, that’s BS. I can’t hunt Federally owned and managed wilderness without paying an outfitter an exorbitant amount of money. It’s wholly right for states to limit NR hunting and or make it advantageous to be a resident of that state. But artificially requiring the use of a guide just because you stepped over an imaginary line is BS, and the justification for the law is BS.

So you'd be totes coolio with Wyoming not letting non residents hunt the Wilderness at all, right?
The thing is, you're NOT being forced to pay anyone anything. You just need a local bud with a FREE license to go with you. Yes, this law helps the outfitting businesses, but it doesn't have to......

 

[Rifleman86]

So you'd be totes coolio with Wyoming not letting non residents hunt the Wilderness at all, right?
The thing is, you're NOT being forced to pay anyone anything. You just need a local bud with a FREE license to go with you. Yes, this law helps the outfitting businesses, but it doesn't have to......

I said limit, not prohibit. Wyoming state land? Different ball game. But not land my federal tax money pays for. Take away the wilderness rule and Wyoming residents still have arguably the best hunting opportunities in the lower 48.

You’re obtuse if you think it’s anything but a scheme to prop up the outfitting industry.

“Oh, it’s just fine, not unfair at all, just find a rando WY resident to burn his vacation time so you can hunt Federal Wilderness.”

I take it robtatto will accompany me on my next Wyoming hunt free of charge? Thanks bro, that’s really nice of you.

 

[robtattoo]

I take it robtatto will accompany me on my next Wyoming hunt free of charge? Thanks bro, that’s really nice of you.

I'd be more than happy to! Uuuuunfortunately, I'm a TN resident. I hunt with an old friend of mine out there.

 

[Rifleman86]

I'd be more than happy to! Uuuuunfortunately, I'm a TN resident. I hunt with an old friend of mine out there.

Well I can’t blame you for taking advantage of that!

Don’t get me wrong, WY is #1 on the retirement list, the Wilderness rule being a heavy influencer of that. That said I still think it’s a BS rule. I’d feel the same way if Ohio had something similar, even though we practically give away NR tags and licenses here.